#FREEWEEZY
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Tyga - BMF Freestyle - RECORDED IN SOUTH AFRICA
So Tyga decided to shoot a vid while he was down on my home turf, SOUTH AFRICA
Pre-Dawn Ramblings of a Treadle-Owning Insomniac
Grant me this: I work fast.
Meet the newest member of the family: my 1920 Singer 66 "red eye" treadle sewing machine!
This little beauty was being sold by a young Parsons grad named Tomoko who lives right around the corner from me in a four-story walk-up -- fortunately on one of the lower floors! She'd bought the machine at an antiques store and never used it for anything other than as a computer table (no reflection on Parsons, I'm sure...). She's about to sublet her apartment to a friend and wanted to clear some things out first -- the treadle/glorified Macbook stand included.
After scoping out the machine carefully at Tomoko's apartment and taking a few pictures, I returned home, discussed the matter with Michael, dumped it on you guys, and made my decision. Then I went back to Tomoko's -- after a quick visit to the ATM of course -- paid for it, unscrewed the machine from the table and carried it home.
In the late afternoon, Michael and I returned to pick up the table which, while not heavy without the machine in it, was a little awkward to move. Luckily we didn't have far to go: literally around the corner.
This is the machine itself without any cleaning at all. Not bad, huh?
Tomoko was originally asking $250 (on Craigslist) but was willing to go with $200. Still high, some might say. But since I don't own a car, anything more than a block or two's distance would have required a car rental -- with all the cost of time and money involved -- or arranging to have it delivered (ditto).
Did I mention that Tomoko lived around the corner? What are the odds? Around the corner.
Factoring all of this in, I decided to go with it, especially because the sewing machine itself was in good shape and had the drop-in bobbin as opposed to the older, more cumbersome shuttle. The table could use some some minor cosmetic help, but who couldn't? Mostly things like water rings. Heloise, some helpful hints, please.
I still need to buy the belt for it; I may be able to find that locally or I can order one online -- they're inexpensive. But I've oiled both the machine and the treadle and both work smoothly. So quiet!
Poking around inside I found about what you'd expect from a machine that probably hasn't been used in seventy years:
A Singer bobbin with old, discolored thread:
Lots of fuzz:
Some crud.
Nothing too bad, however.
Most importantly, she sews -- cotton...
...and leather:
There's still some fine tuning to do, but the essentials are all there.
She's much daintier than I'd imagined: about the size of a child's desk and with the lacy wrought-iron stand, not bulky at all. I just love the way she looks!
Meanwhile, a rather ugly rumor has been circulating in the sewing blogosphere, to the effect that this whole treadle drama (all 48 hours of it, hello) has been merely a ruse to put off Michael's suit project just a little bit longer:
First I said I was going to sew it before my August vacation, but suddenly I had to tackle my Burda A-line dress muslin. Then I was going to do it first thing after vacation, but no, suddenly I had to go searching for a treadle sewing machine and now that needs to be fixed up. And then I have to sew the Burda dress in the Liberty fabric and have Cathy model it, which means the suit is not going to be ready for Michael's mother's seventieth birthday family portrait in late September. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, an imminent thirtieth high school reunion, followed by my brother's wedding in November, etc., etc.
Let me put an end to these rumors, which obviously have been started by one of my bitter rivals and I have many. Life happens, OK? You just can't choose how things are gonna play out. I said I'd make Michael the suit and I will make Michael the suit. I bought the hair canvas, didn't I? (The things I have to put up with...)
Guys, I'm starting to fade and I wasn't all that vivid to begin with.
On a serious note, a big shout out and muchos hugs to frequent commenter and all-around funny-girl/sewing genius, Debbie of Stitches and Seams, whose eldest son is shipping out today to U.S. Marine Corps boot camp -- eight months earlier than expected!
Now I don't have any children as you know, but I do have two chihuahuas, and the idea of sending either of them off to boot camp...well, just tell me where to sign.
Kidding aside, while Debbie and I have had our differences, most recently over a bottle of Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch salad dressing (on quesadillas?) I wish her all the best on what's sure to be a tough day for any mother. I have a mother myself with whom I pathologically over-identify so I can imagine the emotions. Hang in there, Debbie!
Kids, I think it's time for this little treadle-owner to close the proverbial table top and return to the sleeping chamber -- otherwise known as the chihuahua kennel. (Whoa, not a pretty sentence.)
Thank you all so much for your many wonderful comments of support yesterday. You guys crack me up -- in a good way!
So, who wants to try my treadle? Don't all shout at once!
Monday 30 August 2010
Treadle Sewing Machines: Yea or Nay?
Dear Hearts and Gentle Lurkers, I have a new obsession: treadle sewing machines. I just checked this machine out this morning. It is ONE BLOCK FROM MY APARTMENT. I found it on Craigslist. According to the serial number, it was manufactured on April 28, 1920. Ninety years old!
The seller was asking $250 but will take $200. Yes? No? The hand wheel turns smoothly as does the treadle. It will need a belt. It takes regular drop-in Singer bobbins.
I hate to dump this topic on you so early in the week but I need to know.
I'm not sure how this treadle meme got planted in my brain. I saw two for sale when I went to the Chelsea flea market with my sewing machine-enabler friend, Johanna, a few weeks ago.
And then I read Through the Eye of a Needle, as I mentioned yesterday, in which treadles are a major theme.
I know I don't want one as old as the one above; in fact I'd prefer one with a Singer 15, which do exist apparently, albeit in less lovely treadle tables.
Oh, the stress of it all!
You know, sometimes I do wonder if maybe I am a bit of a drama-- no, I won't say it. Some of you know what I'm suggesting and the rest of you, well, no matter. But do you ever wonder if you don't actually invite drama into your lives; like when things are going just fine and dandy life feels a little....boring?
And speaking of drama -- LOOK what was sitting in my mailbox upon my return from rain-soaked Provincetown on Saturday:
Readers, I know it doesn't seem possible that someone with as dewy-fresh a complexion as mine could be facing his THIRTIETH (not thirteenth, my dears, thirtieth) high school reunion, but I recently looked at my passport and the dates do indeed line up.
And here I am in 1979 at seventeen and my oomphiest.
I don't know where to start: What should I wear? Should I sew it myself? Should I invite Cathy?
And WHO holds their high school reunion at the Waldorf Astoria? Shouldn't this take place at the Econolodge on Rte. 17 or the high school gym or something? This is not just fancy, it's fancy-shmancy, and I know most of you recognize the difference. I guess since I'm not on the reunion committee I really have no right to complain though.
Long-time readers will remember that I have already attended a thirtieth high school reunion, only not my own, as the guest of an old (well, my age) elementary school friend, Amy. So I should feel well prepared, right? But I don't.
What do you think? Obviously I have to go -- if only to experience cocktails and dinner at the Waldorf, not exactly my usual hang-out. If I thought I might run into Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon having a "week-end" there I might be more excited.
1. Is a treadle sewing machine worth getting now or should I wait until after the Peak Oil apocalypse? Do you own a treadle? If you do, is it hard work to pump it? Is it fun/reliable? Should I buy the one pictured up top?
2. What should I wear to my thirtieth high school reunion? (It''s October 2nd, right around the corner)
3. Finally, do you think I'm a drama _________? (rhymes with clean). And if yes, doesn't that actually make for better blogging, when you think about it? Do any of you identify as such?
Be kind!
Sunday 29 August 2010
Vacation, schmacation - Peter Comes Home
Friends, it is good to be home. Oh, not Manhattan (though that's nice too) -- I mean here with you at Male Pattern Boldness!
Let's face it: my life as a blogging male home sewist is a lot more glamorous than my real life, where -- I can conceal it no longer -- I am actually Gertie's book agent.
By the way, there is a strong possibility that MPB is going to be turned into a Lifetime movie-of-the-week. OK, would you believe a slight possibility?
A dim possibility?
I'm pushing for a fantastic all-star cast, headed by Jason Batemen in the role of Yours Truly and sister Justine as cousin Cathy. If they're not available I'll settle for Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Thiessen or just Mario Lopez in a dazzling dual-role star turn -- a shoe-in for an Emmy nomination!
I welcome your suggestions and/or contacts as it really helps to get a commitment from a star first, or so I've heard.
Oh, and do you read In Touch? Esther Williams is making a comeback (finally!) in a sequel to that 1949 MGM hit, Neptune's Daughter. Working title: Million Dollar Mer-crone. (I know, not my best material...)
But enough silliness; let's get back to sewing.
When I got home I was so excited to see that this had arrived at long last and it's very attractive:
Can't wait to get started on the Burda A-line dress. And then the suit; I haven't forgotten the suit.
My friend Johanna recommended this book to me and I finally read it on my vacation:
It's a collection of essays about one man's discovery of the joys of sewing one's own clothes with vintage sewing machines, interspersed with thoughts about Peak Oil, reducing one's carbon footprint, and the consequences of outsourcing jobs to low-wage countries -- all my favorite topics! A great read and very thought provoking. Author is John-Paul Flintoff, btw, a British journalist.
What else?
Readers, it rained for the first four days of our vacation. And I know this is going to sound perverse, but I think I actually preferred it. I'm not much of a fun-in-the-sun type, despite rumors to the contrary. I hate slathering my skin with sunscreen, traipsing out to the beach and baking in the heat, or sipping daiquiris out of cheap plastic cups poolside to the throb of Nineties house music.
I much prefer a long run on a cool, overcast morning and then reading, listening to music, and cooking.
I hope that doesn't sound insensitive to those who never got to sip a daiquiri this summer. It just gives you a headache.
More vacation pics here:
In closing, readers, it's so nice to be surrounded by my sewing machines and sewists once again!
Many of you have written to say that you chose five things from among my eleven recommendations and completed your assignment. Others seem to have cheated a bit, settling on one or two of the easier ones and calling it a day.
As for the rest of you...I hope you're taking this Pass/Fail is all I can say.
Seriously, what have you been up to all week? Did it rain where you live for days and days?
What have I missed in the blogosphere, if anything? Give me all the gossip!
Have a great Sunday, everybody!
Diggy Simmons Ft Bei Maejor-Great Expectations
This kid is the SHIT! So i'm probably #Late with this track BUT you guys gotta hear this. This dude is killing it!
Follow link to download
The Queensland Fireball
Yesterday I flew to Brisbane to perform at the annual Queensland Fireball. This year the black tie event was held in a huge big top erected in King George Square in the centre of the city. I performed my contortion act in an Opera Cirque show called Lo Spettacolo which told the story of two lovers, myself and hand balance performer Mali De Goey who are torn apart then find each other and fall in love again at the end. The show also featured dancers and opera singers. I'm not one to usually perform at circus themed events so this was the first time I've ever performed inside a big top!
Saturday 28 August 2010
GIG GUIDE / 12 September / POPBOTTLES - Birthday Pool Party
Click on image to enlarge
Flyer design by Travis Davids aka T-Designs
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